Do you already own a .qa domain name? Qatar’s new domain registration policies take effect on 22 October 2026, and many existing domain owners are asking how the changes will affect their registrations, renewals, websites, email and DNS management.
The Qatar Domains Registry (QDR), operated by the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA), has introduced new eligibility requirements and a revised domain management lifecycle.
Following additional clarification received from CRA on 21 October 2026, we have prepared this FAQ to explain what existing domain owners need to know.
Existing domains are not automatically cancelled when the new policies take effect. However, changes to existing domain registration details require eligibility verification.
CRA has confirmed that if a registrant does not meet the applicable eligibility requirements when verification is required, the registrar must delete the domain, which will then enter the 30-day Redemption Period.
Frequently Asked Questions About Existing .qa Domains
1. Will My Existing .qa Domain Be Cancelled on 22 October 2026?
No, not automatically.
CRA has confirmed that existing registered domains will continue under the new registry platform’s automatic renewal process.
The new eligibility requirements do not mean that all existing domains will be cancelled on the effective date.
However, existing registrations remain subject to the updated policies, especially when changes to registration details are requested.
2. I Live Outside Qatar. Can I Keep My Existing .qa Domain?
Existing domains registered by international customers are not automatically cancelled solely because the registrant is located outside Qatar.
However, if you request a modification to the domain registration, the registrar must verify your eligibility under the new requirements.
If you cannot meet the applicable eligibility criteria, CRA has instructed the registrar to delete the domain.
International registrants should therefore review their eligibility before requesting modifications.
3. Can I Continue Renewing My .qa Domain?
Yes. According to CRA’s guidance, existing registrations will continue under the new registry’s automatic renewal functionality.
However, customers must continue paying their renewal invoices on time.
Automatic renewal at the registry level does not mean free renewal or permanent exemption from the eligibility requirements.
4. Will I Need to Provide a QID, Commercial Registration or Trademark Certificate?
Supporting documents may be required when eligibility verification applies.
Depending on the registrant’s category, accepted evidence may include:
- Qatar ID (QID).
- Residency permit.
- Commercial Registration (CR).
- Trade licence.
- Qualifying trademark certificate.
- Other relevant official eligibility documents.
For existing domain owners, documentation may be required before processing changes to registration information.
A new registration application is not automatically required simply because the registry platform changes.
5. What Happens If I Cannot Meet the New Eligibility Requirements?
This is one of the most important changes.
CRA has explicitly clarified that when an existing domain requires eligibility verification and the registrant does not meet the relevant requirements, the registrar must delete the domain.
The deleted domain then enters the 30-day Redemption Period.
During redemption, the domain may stop resolving, potentially interrupting your website, email and other connected services.
6. Can I Change My Nameservers After 22 October?
Nameserver changes require updating the domain’s delegation information at the registry.
CRA has confirmed that eligibility verification must be completed before processing changes to existing registration details, including applicable DNS updates.
Supporting documents may therefore be required before a nameserver update can proceed.
7. What Is the Difference Between Changing Nameservers and Updating DNS Records?
These are two technically different operations.
Nameserver changes: These modify the authoritative DNS servers recorded at the registry and require a registry-level transaction.
External DNS record changes: These involve editing records such as A, MX, TXT or CNAME directly within your DNS hosting provider’s platform, without modifying the nameservers recorded at the registry.
Ordinary external DNS record updates normally do not require an EPP transaction.
However, CRA’s clarification refers broadly to DNS updates, and the precise treatment of every external DNS management situation has not been separately specified.
Using external DNS hosting does not remove your responsibility to comply with applicable domain eligibility requirements.
8. Should I Switch to External DNS Hosting Before the New Rules?
This depends on your website and email requirements.
External DNS hosting may allow routine DNS record management without repeatedly updating your registered nameservers.
However, it does not create an exemption from the registry’s eligibility requirements.
If your existing DNS configuration is working correctly, do not make unnecessary changes merely because the new policies are being introduced.
9. Can I Transfer My Personally Registered .qa Domain to a Company?
Changing the registrant from an individual to a company constitutes a change to the registration information.
The receiving entity must satisfy the applicable eligibility requirements and provide the necessary supporting documentation.
This may include a qualifying Commercial Registration, trade licence or trademark certificate.
The new policies also introduce restrictions on selling, renting or leasing second-level .qa domains.
Contact your domain provider before requesting an ownership change.
10. Are New .qa Domain Registrations Still Instant?
CRA has confirmed that accredited registrars may continue using their existing registration processes while completing eligibility verification.
The new five-day Add Grace Period allows a qualifying registration to be deleted with a full registry fee refund if the applicant does not satisfy the necessary requirements.
However, individual registrars may choose different review workflows.
Initial activation does not guarantee final eligibility approval.
11. Why Is AEserver Temporarily Pausing New .qa Registrations?
AEserver is working with its accredited registrar partner to establish the operational procedures necessary to comply with the updated requirements.
We therefore expect to temporarily pause processing new second-level .qa registrations from 22 October 2026 until further notice.
This is an AEserver operational decision, not a registry-wide restriction.
Existing registered domains and renewals are not included in this voluntary registration pause.
We will communicate updates when the necessary arrangements are completed.
12. Will AEserver Continue Supporting Renewals and Existing Domains?
Yes. AEserver’s planned temporary registration pause applies only to new second-level .qa registrations.
Existing domain renewals and other management services remain supported, subject to registry availability and applicable policy requirements.
Customers must continue paying renewal invoices and keeping their account information accurate.
13. What Are the New Domain Transfer Rules?
The updated transfer policy introduces three important changes:
- Five-day transfer window: Automatic inter-registrar transfers can take five calendar days unless approved earlier.
- 60-day restriction: Transfers are generally restricted within 60 days of initial registration or the most recent registrar transfer.
- Mandatory renewal: Inter-registrar transfers must include a one-year domain renewal.
A separate transfer fee is not permitted, but the renewal fee may be charged.
14. What Happens If My Domain Expires?
The new registry platform introduces a 45-day automatic renewal grace period.
However, this is a registry-level renewal and billing mechanism, not a guarantee that an unpaid domain will remain operational.
Customers must continue renewing their domains and paying applicable fees before the required deadlines.
If an eligible domain is deleted outside its initial grace period, it may enter a 30-day Redemption Period, followed by a one-day Pending Delete period.
Restoration during redemption may be possible through the sponsoring registrar, subject to applicable rules and fees.
15. Will My Website and Email Work During the Registry Migration?
The registry migration begins at 12:00 AM Qatar Time on 22 October 2026.
Registry transactions and affected domain management functions will be unavailable during the maintenance window.
Existing websites, emails and DNS services are not inherently expected to stop functioning solely because registry transactions are unavailable.
However, registry-dependent modifications cannot be processed until services resume.
16. Do the New Rules Affect .com.qa and .net.qa Domains?
The updated registry platform and relevant lifecycle policies affect Qatar domain extensions generally.
However, extensions such as .com.qa and .net.qa already had restricted eligibility requirements before the latest changes.
Applicants and existing registrants remain subject to the rules applicable to their specific extension.
AEserver’s voluntary registration pause specifically concerns new second-level .qa registrations.
17. Will My Domain Automatically Be Deleted If I Do Not Submit Documents Now?
CRA’s clarification does not establish automatic cancellation of all existing domains simply because their registrants have not submitted new eligibility documents by 22 October.
However, eligibility verification is mandatory before processing applicable registration modifications.
If verification determines that the registrant does not satisfy the relevant requirements, the registrar must delete the domain.
Existing customers should understand the requirements and prepare supporting documents where necessary.
18. Can I Recover a Domain Deleted Because I Failed Eligibility Verification?
CRA has indicated that an existing domain deleted after failed eligibility verification will enter the 30-day Redemption Period.
Redemption provides a potential restoration mechanism under the applicable registry policies, but it does not itself remove the underlying eligibility requirements.
Customers should not assume that an ineligible domain can be restored without resolving the relevant compliance issue.
A domain in redemption may also stop resolving, affecting its website and email services.
19. Do I Need to Take Any Action Before 22 October?
If your existing domain is active, your renewal payments are current and no modifications are planned, there is generally no immediate requirement to submit a new registration application solely because the policies have changed.
However, you should:
- Review your eligibility under the new policy.
- Keep your renewal payments up to date.
- Maintain accurate contact and registration records.
- Prepare relevant supporting documents for future modifications.
- Avoid unnecessary changes if your eligibility is uncertain.
- Complete urgent domain operations before the scheduled registry migration.
20. Where Can I Read the Official Rules?
The updated Qatar Domains Registry policies are scheduled for publication on 21 October 2026 and take effect on 22 October 2026.
Read the official CRA registry policies.
For a detailed explanation of the changes, see our AEserver Qatar .qa Domain Policy Announcement.
What Should Existing .qa Domain Owners Remember?
Your existing .qa domain is not automatically cancelled on 22 October, and the registry’s automatic renewal process will continue.
However, eligibility verification is required before applicable domain registration modifications. If an existing registrant fails verification, CRA requires the registrar to delete the domain, which will enter the 30-day Redemption Period.
If you are uncertain about your eligibility, review the new rules before requesting changes.
Need Help With Your Existing Domain?
AEserver continues supporting existing Qatar domain customers through its accredited registrar partner.
For assistance with an existing registration, renewal, transfer or domain management request, please log in to your AEserver client account and contact our support team.
Updated: 21 October 2026 following CRA’s latest registry clarification. This FAQ provides general guidance. Official registry policies and CRA instructions govern all domain registration and management transactions.
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